Lakeland FL vs Worcester MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakeland
82,506
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 74.1% | 58.0% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $35,825 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.4% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.8% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $435,532 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 42.4% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.9% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.5% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 27.3 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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